This blog is dedicated to sharing the concept that our hands are essential to learning- that we engage the world and its wonders, sensing and creating primarily through the agency of our hands. We abandon our children to education in boredom and intellectual escapism by failing to engage their hands in learning and making.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Summer...

It seems summer is here in the Ozarks. I had my last day of woodshop for the school year and all projects are finished by the kids. Looking back it was a good year and if you've been following along you may have some high points of your own.

I have had encounters with interesting wild life wandering between the house and shop. The Green June Beetle is one. They seem to be everywhere around here. At first I suspected I was seeing the same one over and over again, but not so. There are lots of them, and they are large enough that you can't miss them.

The baby box turtle was a more unexpected and delightful surprise. He was not pleased with being picked up and photographed. Turtles can live almost as long as a person if they are allowed an undisturbed ecosystem, and to see a young one like this is promising for the future.

My kids at school have also been showing promise. They seem
undeterred in their creativity. Several have asked if I'll be around
during the summer, as they would like to keep in touch with the wood
shop. Instead, I'll be home working on my book or off to Marc Adams
School of Woodworking for my box making classes. The first starts on
Tuesday, and then after a week off, my second class will begin on June
10.

About Me

I have been a self-employed woodworker in Eureka Springs, Arkansas since 1976. I live with my wife Jean on a wooded hillside overlooking our beautiful historic community.
In addition to work in my wood shop, I teach children at the Clear Spring School in a program called "The Wisdom of the Hands." My 10th and 11th books, Tiny Boxes by Taunton Press and Making Classic Toys that Teach were published in November 2016. My most recent book is The Box Maker's Guitar Book published in 2017. I also write for Fine Woodworking, Woodcraft and other woodworking magazines.
My resume can be downloaded at
www.dougstowe.com/resume.doc